Reincarnated As The Villainess's Son

[A few hours later.]

"Kill her."

Aimar's words echoed in a lavish room where the three of us had gathered.

That was his conclusion after I told them everything that had happened between me and Nora.

I turned to look at him; he gave me a blank look.

"….What?"

"Don't give me that look." He shrugged, picking up an apple placed in the basket. "She is being a bitch by hindering our plans."

He looked at me while taking a bite of the apple. "And it's not like you haven't killed those who came in your way."

"Killing isn't going to solve anything." Elijah chimed in softly. "It might even make the situation harder for us."

I nodded as I leaned back on the sofa I was sitting on.

"He is right." I said, gesturing towards Elijah. "We have no idea what and how she has such a hold on the Aljanahs."

"One wrong move and we might create a domino effect." Elijah added, rubbing his face. "And I don't want my loved ones to face consequences of our actions."

I didn't say anything as I looked around the room.

Even though we were at odds, Nora had given us one of the most beautiful-looking rooms.

White stone walls shaped like waves all around us.

Furniture carved from sea-blue crystal that lay perfectly in place.

Soft lights that made everything glow like the inside of a pearl.

Aimar tossed the apple core aside, missing the trash bin.

"What is she, anyway?" He asked, looking at me. "How can she mind-fuck an entire race?"

"I have no idea." I mumbled, picking the apple core with mana and placing it inside trash bin. "All I know is that she is stronger than me."

"You can kill those stronger than you." Aimar said, throwing himself on the bed. "Why don't you just kill her."

"...."

I didn't respond as I looked out of the window, I can't be sure if I can kill her.

The soft light of the moon filtered into the room.

'….What the hell is she?'

I can't put a finger on it but there is something really wrong about her.

If I had to say, she seems like a lost person, one that has nothing to call her own.

'…It's really odd.' I exhaled slowly.

"You know." Elijah started, earning our gaze. "When we first met her, I think I saw a solitude of something around her."

I immediately got interested, as even I felt it when I was close to her.

"Was it…" I spoke softly. "…A snake?"

Elijah nodded his head immediately. "Yes, an enormous snake."

'So, it wasn't just an illusion.'

"A snake…" Aimar whistled softly. "Damn, what's Miley doing here?"

I chuckled but immediately turned serious. "Take it seriously, bitch."

He flipped me off, grinning like a bitch he is.

"Anyway." Elijah once again continued the conversation. "Is the key really that important, Himmel?"

"...."

I leaned back on the sofa as I looked at the beautiful ceiling.

"….I will be fighting stronger beings sooner or later." I grumbled, rubbing my face. "If I want to defeat the first creation of God then I would need all the help I can get."

"But what if it's a hoax?" Aimar asked, his voice doubtful. "What if there is no such thing as a key."

"El said it's here."

"But what if he is lying—."

I stiffened at his words as I looked directly into his eyes.

"I would have killed myself if not for him." I said, making sure he heard me. "I trust him with my life."

Aimar looked back for a while before he looked away. "Oliver would be jealous."

I didn't respond as I looked out of the window once again.

'….Am I hearing things now?'

"Now that I think about it." Aimar said, stretching his body. "Are you going to fuck a mermaid?"

"What?" I frowned. "No."

"Didn't Nora say that you are supposed to fall for one?" He asked, eyeing me suspiciously. "…Or did I misinterpret it?"

I sighed as I rubbed my temples.

"She talked about compatibility." I said, looking at him. "Fallen and mermaids are compatible for sex but that doesn't mean they have to get into a relationship."

"So, it's all a lie?" Elijah asked, looking genuinely curious. "The thing about the prophecy?"

"….I don't know." I mumbled. "But I don't plan for another girl in my life, I have enough already."

"Fucking liar."

Suppressing another sigh I stood up and walked towards the door.

"Where are you going now?" Aimar asked, standing up.

I turned to look at him. "Stay together."

I didn't wait for any reply as I walked out of the room.

'The fuck is that sound?'

---

The Aljanah mansion is as big as it could get for something situated on an island.

The construction was good no doubt but what made it special was the lake on the side.

'..A lake that for some reason feels like it's singing.'

I thought as I walked close to the edge of the lake.

The closer I walked toward the lake, the louder the sound became.

The night breeze chilled my skin as I crouched near the floating stones that decorated the lake's edge.

Moonlight hit the water and scattered into thousands of pale-blue sparks.

'…Is there someone inside the lake?'

I couldn't help but wonder as I stared at its still surface.

I blinked and the surface moved in one gentle wave.

"....."

A naked woman emerged out of the water, shaking excess water from her hair.

Her head stilled and turned toward my direction and our eyes met.

'…Ah, fuck.'

Her long blue hair clung to her shoulders, dripping down her bare skin.

Verena gave me a blank look without a shred of shame.

Much to my surprise she didn't try to hide herself but just stared back.

"…..Uh," I muttered, clearing my throat. "Sorry?"

Smooth.

Great job, Himmel.

I turned around as I didn't want to stare anymore. "I didn't know you were bathing."

She didn't respond but I heard the water splash around. "Turn around."

I hesitated but eventually turned to look at her.

The moment I turned a glowing veil of water wrapped around her instantly, forming a dress that clung to her like flowing silk.

'…Whoah, mermaid magic?'

She lifted her chin slightly, observing me like I was the one naked.

And then she smiled. "How can I help you, Sir Azariah."

I cleared my throat as I gestured towards the pathway. "Would you like to go on a walk."

She blinked, smiled and nodded happily. "Of course."

I smiled back, glad she didn't mention me peeking on her.

We began to walk around the lake taking slow steps and for some reason she was trying to match my steps.

"I have heard about your arrival since I was a child." Verena spoke first, looking down. "…You were like a prince who would come get me one day."

The fuck is this?

Is this how mermaids start their conversations?

"That's… oddly romantic," I said slowly. "And extremely inaccurate."

She giggled quietly, brushing a strand of wet blue hair behind her ear.

"Is there something you want to ask?" She said softly. "I would help you with anything."

"…Yeah, about that." I spoke, rubbing my cheek. "Can you tell me more about your mother-in-law?"

Her steps slowed down as her eyes dimmed slightly.

'…Hmm?'

I noticed the change in her body language immediately.

'Is she afraid of her?'

"…My mother-in-law," she repeated, voice barely above a whisper. "What about her?"

"For starters." I mumbled, looking at her. "Is she really your mother-in-law?"

She looked down once again and did not respond immediately.

I had this doubt before.

I don't remember the name of Jacob's wife from the game…

…But I am damn sure it wasn't Nora.

"I don't know." She spoke softly. "I have really foggy memories of my wedding."

I nodded my head lightly as I expected this type of answer.

"…How about your family?" I asked, keeping my pace steady. "Do they know Nora beforehand?"

"…Well, I think they do." She mumbled, her gaze thoughtful. "My grandmother used to talk about meeting her once when she was young."

"….Is that so?" I whispered softly. "She must be old."

"...."

She just nodded while she played with her fingers.

'….Well, I guess I won't get much information from her.'

Though all the things I got were more than enough to make an outline of Nora's capabilities.

"By the way." I continued as I looked at her. "Is there anything you know about an enormous snake?"

"…A snake?" she repeated, glancing sideways at me. "Why do you ask?"

"You tell me," I said calmly. "What does a snake signify to you?"

Verena didn't speak for a while as her gaze remained on the ground.

Her silence was so long that I stopped expecting any answer.

"The mermaids used to worship a massive snake once." She finally said, taking my attention. "…A deity that belonged to the Ocean."

"….A deity?" I asked, stopping on my track.

She turned her gaze on me and gently smiled.

"Why don't you visit my family once?" She asked, placing her hand in front of her. "I am sure you will get a lot of answers to your questions."

"….Your home." I said, tilting my head. "And where might that be?"

"Don't worry, I will have my daughter guide you." She responded with a gentle smile. "You might even find a clue to the 'key' there."

"....."

I froze in my place as I looked directly into her eyes.

How does she know about the key?

She smiled even brighter.

"The guardian angel of our Goddess told us." She responded. "That you would need the key."

Dinael told them?

"But why would your family know about the key?" I asked, giving her an annoyed look.

"The Lorelei and Aljanah families go way back." She said, taking a step back. "We were meant to share both pain and pleasure."

Not a wise choice of words but okay.

She turned around and began to walk.

"I will be going to my room now." She said, glancing over her shoulder. "I would be alone."

"....."

She didn't, right?

'…Nah, no way she did.'

I let out a sigh as I rubbed my cheek roughly.

Damn, should I just keep the beard?